United lost 1-0 to Brann last week in shambolic circumstances. The club realised, on the day of the game, that they did not have the required boots and shin-pads for their players, so staff had to buy them locally. Per BBC Sport they did so less than three hours before kick-off, signifying the disorder in the dressing room.
United know that they need to overturn their 1-0 defeat from last week if they are to continue on their Women’s Champions League journey. Skinner has said that he feels Leigh Sports Village has become a “fortress”, and is hopeful his team can prove that once again. Skinner did admit, though, that he has no idea where the lost boots are.
Skinner said: “I would imagine we have got the boots [this time]! They have been training with them so they have them sorted. Everything is fine. The players are ready. They all had the boots they needed for the [first leg] so there were no excuses and they took it really well.
“It was one of those things you don’t want to happen, but it does happen. I don’t know where the [lost] boots are but we’re living in a modern world where boots can get sent very quickly so all the players have them now. They might not be the same ones but they are the boots they need for the game on Thursday.”
United are so close to reaching the Champions League proper; they simply have to find a way to mount a comeback on Thursday. Whether that proves easier said than done remains to be seen.
